The First victory

Morning Announcement – Ranking Results

The morning sun barely touched the academy grounds when students began gathering at the announcement board near the training field. The results of the assessment test had finally been posted.

Excitement, nervousness, and tension filled the air.

"This is it."

Students whispered among themselves as they craned their necks to see the rankings.

"I hope I made it into the Advanced Class…"

"Elite Class? That's impossible for commoners like us."

"Wei Fang is definitely in the Elite Class…"

The crowd thickened as more students arrived, pushing and shoving to get a glimpse of their names.

Feng Hao, however, walked calmly toward the board, hands in his pockets. His expression remained neutral, but his sharp ears caught the hushed whispers surrounding him.

Li Shen, his friend and sparring partner, managed to squeeze through the crowd first. His eyes scanned the list rapidly, and then he froze. His mouth fell open.

"Hao, your name's here!" he shouted, half in disbelief.

Feng Hao stepped forward. His gaze fell on the rankings.

---

Elite Class Rankings:

1. Wei Fang

2. Xiao Mei

3. Bai Chen

4. Feng Hao

---

Advanced Class (Class B) Rankings:

12. Li Shen

---

A brief silence passed before murmurs erupted around him.

"That guy made it into the Elite Class?"

"He barely showed any strength in the test!"

"How did a nobody from a small clan rank above noble students?"

The envious and doubtful voices didn't faze Feng Hao. He had expected this reaction.

But in his mind, his Second Soul chuckled.

"Seems like you caused a stir. This could be troublesome."

"It's fine," Feng Hao replied inwardly. "As long as I get better training, that's all that matters."

A few feet away, Wei Fang, the academy's top prodigy, clenched his fists as he read the rankings. His expression darkened, his frustration barely contained.

"This has to be a mistake."

Beside him, Xiao Mei, a tall girl with icy blue eyes, glanced at Feng Hao with mild interest. She smirked slightly.

"Interesting. I didn't expect you here," she murmured before walking away, her long braid swaying behind her.

Li Shen, standing next to Feng Hao, scratched his head.

"Damn, you really jumped ahead of me, huh? Not bad. Looks like we won't be in the same class."

Feng Hao nodded. " I guess so."

Li Shen grinned, slapping Feng Hao's shoulder. "Try not to get bullied too much by those noble brats, alright?"

Feng Hao simply smirked.

"I think they'll be too busy trying to figure me out first."

---

First Lesson – Combat Fundamentals

After the rankings were settled, the students were escorted to their respective classrooms.

The Elite Class had fewer than ten students, each one exuding confidence, arrogance, or quiet determination. The classroom was elegant—polished wooden floors, tall windows letting in streams of sunlight, and shelves lined with advanced combat manuals. Large banners with the academy's crest reinforced the prestige of the room.

The door swung open.

An older man with sharp eyes entered, his aura commanding immediate respect.

"I am Instructor Lin, and I will be teaching you Combat Fundamentals."

His piercing gaze swept across the students.

"Many of you come from noble backgrounds. Some of you… do not." His eyes briefly flickered toward Feng Hao. "But talent determines your place here, not birth."

Wei Fang scoffed but didn't speak. His arms remained crossed, his posture tense.

Instructor Lin continued. "First, we will test your combat instincts. You will each spar against a classmate. Pair up."

The students glanced at one another, considering their opponents.

Before Feng Hao could speak—

"I want to fight him."

Wei Fang stepped forward, pointing directly at Feng Hao.

A tense silence filled the room.

Instructor Lin raised an eyebrow. "Very well. Wei Fang versus Feng Hao. Begin when ready."

---

Sparring Match – Wei Fang Vs. Feng Hao

The students moved to the open-air combat training area, forming a loose circle around the two fighters. Some whispered among themselves, eager to see Wei Fang crush the commoner.

Feng Hao and Wei Fang stood across from each other. Their auras clashed, the tension thick in the air.

Wei Fang grinned, his confidence unshaken. With a swift motion, he summoned his Twin-Blade Martial Soul. Two curved blades materialized in his hands, gleaming under the sunlight.

"I'll make sure you know your place, commoner."

Feng Hao didn't react. He simply raised his hand—and with a burst of flames, his Fire Sword appeared. The blade's heat warped the air, but Feng Hao remained calm.

"Begin!"

Wei Fang lunged. His blades flashed in a deadly arc.

His speed was impressive, but Feng Hao sidestepped smoothly, his body moving with fluid precision.

Step. Dodge. Pivot.

His footwork was flawless.

The watching students murmured in surprise.

Wei Fang's frustration grew. He increased his speed, his strikes turning into a rapid flurry of slashes. But no matter how hard he pushed, Feng Hao evaded with ease.

"His footwork is impressive…" Instructor Lin muttered under his breath.

Wei Fang's attacks became faster, sharper, more reckless. He aimed for a decisive strike—

But in that instant, Feng Hao saw an opening.

His instincts kicked in. His body reacted before his mind even finished processing the moment.

He shifted forward with a controlled strike—

Clang!

Gasps echoed from the students.

Wei Fang's eyes widened in shock.

But Feng Hao wasn't finished.

He moved swiftly, closing the distance. With a final, precise counterattack, he sent Wei Fang tumbling to the ground.

A stunned silence filled the training area.

Instructor Lin nodded approvingly before finally speaking.

"Match over. Winner, Feng Hao."

Wei Fang sat on the ground, teeth clenched in humiliation.

"You—"

"Enough," Instructor Lin interrupted. "Victory was clear. Wei Fang, your technique is strong, but you lack control. Feng Hao, your movement technique is exceptional. However, your attacks lack power. Work on it."

Feng Hao nodded respectfully.

As he walked back, his Second Soul spoke in amusement.

"Not bad. But don't underestimate him. A humiliated noble never forgets."

Feng Hao smirked inwardly.

"I know."

Aftermath – Wei Fang's Thoughts

Wei Fang remained on the ground for a few moments, fists clenched.

> "I lost… to him?"

His entire life, he had been groomed as a top-tier noble warrior.

Yet in front of everyone—before Xiao Mei—he had been humiliated.

> "This isn't over. Not by a long shot."

His knuckles turned white as he forced himself up. His eyes locked onto Feng Hao's retreating figure.

> "I will make him regret this."

---

After Class – Xiao Mei's Approach

As Feng Hao left the training hall, a soft voice called out behind him.

> "Feng Hao."

He turned.

Xiao Mei stood there, arms crossed, her sharp eyes analyzing him.

> "You're different from what I expected."

Feng Hao raised an eyebrow.

> "Oh? And what did you expect?"

She smiled.

> "Someone more… ordinary."

Second Soul: "She's probing. Don't give her anything real."

Feng Hao smirked.

> "Disappointed?"

Xiao Mei's smile didn't falter.

> "Intrigued."

Second Soul: "Push her curiosity further. Make her doubt her own judgment."

Feng Hao's expression remained unreadable.

> "Then I'll consider that a compliment."

A flicker of amusement crossed her face.

> "Let's see if you keep up."

Then she turned and walked away.

Second Soul: "She took the bait."

Feng Hao chuckled inwardly.

> "Now, let's see how far she's willing to go."

---

Returning to the Dormitory

After training, Feng Hao was led to his Elite Class dormitory. Unlike the shared bunks of lower-class students, these rooms were private, clean, and spacious.

He stepped inside, setting down his bag. The room had a bed, wooden desk, storage cabinet, and even a meditation space for cultivation.

"Not bad."

His Second Soul chuckled. "It's better than sleeping on the ground during my training days."

Feng Hao walked toward the window, gazing at the academy courtyard below. He could already feel the eyes of envious students watching him.

His victory over Wei Fang had painted a target on his back, and he knew more challenges would come.

"This is just the beginning."

Feng Hao sat on his bed, replaying the day's events in his mind.

Wei Fang was now an enemy.

Xiao Mei was an unknown factor.

His Second Soul whispered.

> "Wei Fang will act out of anger. Xiao Mei will act out of calculation. The real threat is the one who waits before striking."

Feng Hao closed his eyes.

> "Then I'll strike first."

His fingers tapped against his knee rhythmically.

Tonight, he would begin preparing his first real move.

A slow, dangerous smile curled his lips

That night, Feng Hao lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

He had survived his first day—and made his presence known.

But he wasn't here to simply exist.

He was here to rise.

He closed his eyes, determination burning in his heart.